Neighbors: Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa

To all of you, I would like to wish the best, happiest and safest holidays.

We’ll all be spending the next couple of days with friends and family, and that’s why I love this time of year so much.

I’ll actually be working on Christmas Day — the news doesn’t stop for anyone or anything — but I have about 35 people stopping by tonight for what I hope they will leave thinking was some good food and great conversation.

Another year is almost over and my grandsons, the twins Owen and Travis, are now 15 months old and getting bigger and cuter every day, while grandson Justin is 28 months old and exploring and talking full sentences at this point. He’ll be the one who really enjoys opening presents this year. Owen and Travis are more into the end result at this point — they haven’t yet figured out how much fun it is to get there.

Anyway, I really just want to wish all of you great joy, and I hope that you all enjoy your time with friends and family. Remember to be kind to those less fortunate than you.

Our neighbor Tammy Campbell wrote me last week to tell me about some children who have learned the true meaning of the holiday and have made someone else’s life a little happier this holiday season.

First, she told me that Haley Campbell, a 10-year-old fourth grader at Greenfield Middle School (I am assuming Haley is related to Tammy) recently collected new hats and mittens for children throughout the county after witnessing at recess one day that there were children without hats and mittens.

Haley told Tammy, “It was too cold not to have any, so I thought I could help.”

Also, Camps Daycare recently held a food drive. The children collected 270 pounds of food and 90 pounds of fresh produce, which they donated to the Center for Self Reliance on Osgood Street in Greenfield so that several needy families can also enjoy the holiday.

Take care of yourselves this week and have fun.

Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa!

PIONEER VALLEY BALLET will be holding auditions for “Beauty and the Beast” on Jan. 4.

The good news for many is that no dance experience is required.

Adults and advanced dancers (en pointe) should contact the studio for audition information, including times.

“Beauty and the Beast” will be performed March 29 and 30 at the Academy of Music in Northampton.

ALSO ON JAN. 4, Green River Yoga & Movement Arts at 158 Main St. in Greenfield will be holding a Viniyoga Flow Heat Up! fundraiser to benefit Community Action’s fuel assistance program from 9 to 11 a.m.

You don’t need any yoga experience to participate and it will be a great way to help your neighbors in need.

Children ages 10 and older are welcome to practice with their parents.

The suggested donation is $10 to $20 to learn the breath-filled style of Hatha yoga.

For more information about the fundraiser, contact Libby Volckening at 413-834-4524 or email her at: yogalibre@yahoo.com.

THERE WILL BE NO Bingo at the Moose Club in Greenfield tonight or on New Year’s Eve. The Sunday breakfast is also canceled next weekend.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU that the Information and Caregiver Resource Center at Franklin County Home Care Corp. tailors individual answers to your questions and needs concerning elders, caregivers and people with disabilities.

Contact FCHCC at 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259 or email: info@fchcc.org. To learn more, you may also visit: www.fchcc.org.

FCHCC is a great local agency to get the help you need.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon two days before you want it to run.